Portions of the park are slated to open at different times starting in the spring of 2015 and is expected to bring a large economic impact to the community. They also officially kicked off the launch of their website, www.grandtx.com, which allows for the community to stay up-to-date with the construction process and see the renderings for what is to come to the community. less

Portions of the park are slated to open at different times starting in the spring of 2015 and is expected to bring a large economic impact to the community. They also officially kicked off the launch of their ... more

Theme park plans unveiled for 2015 opening

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Developers have announced plans for a sports and entertainment complex on what is now more than 600 acres of suburban piney woods in New Caney.

Construction of the Grand Texas theme park is supposed to begin early next year. Developers said Wednesday the park could be open by the end of 2015.

Complete with Texas history and culture, developers are excited to bring more than a day’s worth of activities for the whole family.

They also officially kicked off the launch of their website, www.grandtx.com, which will provide updates on the construction process and artist renderings for what is in store.

“The concept of the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District is that this a destination for everyone to go to and spend time doing various activities,” Developer Monty Galland said. “Two of the parcels on the south side of the land on FM 242 is what we call Hospitality Village where a 136-space RV resort known as the Shady Oaks RV resort will be located and two hotels that have about 175 rooms. We would like to announce we have a partner that will provide a service station for these particular avenues as well as numerous restaurants and shopping.”

An adventure area with zip lines and an equestrian trail will offer a taste of Texas especially in the Flint Ranch Agri-tainment area.

The developers officially closed on the land for Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District June 30, 2013. It’s located at the intersection of FM 242 and U.S. Highway 59 in New Caney. The district will stretch 610 acres on the north and south sides of FM 242.

Various aspects of the park will honor Texas history and culture with seven themed areas.

Big Rivers Waterpark is a 40-acre water park that will be reminiscent of an 18th-century fishing village harkening back to some of Texas’ most famous rivers.

“We are working to make Grand Texas the ultimate destination for families which is why we have expanded all of the attractions and features of the park,” Ashley Higson, director of marketing, said.

Other features within the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District include the East Montgomery County Events Center, where conventions, concerts and sporting events will be hosted and will also house a professional hockey team.

The Ball Park of Montgomery County will host an independent baseball team that offers gameday seating for 6,500 and can also feature different kinds of events.

Two new additions to the district include the Grand Texas Sportsplex, which is 90 acres of baseball and softball fields for tournament play and Downtown Texas is 450,000 square feet of secondary entertainment and retail space.

According to Jody Pepitone with Brae Burn Construction Company, they expect to begin to clear the land and preparing the site for utilities after the first of the year. From there, they will address the underground facilities and what they need to do to prepare everything for the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District.

“We are expecting there will be over 1,200 seasonal and full-time jobs that we’ll be hiring that will include every kind of position,” Galland said. “What a tremendous opportunity for teens as well as senior citizens in this community. There are also more than 900 jobs in the retail and hotel areas and then 1,600 construction jobs so there is a tremendous economic impact.”

The Big Rivers Water Park will be one of the first segments scheduled to open around April 2015. Hospitality Village with the hotels is also scheduled for April 2015. The Theme Park is scheduled to open the summer of 2015.

Galland wouldn’t put a price tag on the project. In the past, he has said the theme park would cost about $200 million.

The project has not received public money from the East Montgomery County Improvement District but Galland said the park would get a piece of gate and parking fees collected by the county.

Another theme park called EarthQuest has been planned for several years in the same area although a specific site for the project hasn’t been selected.

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For more information or updates on the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District as it progresses, visit www.grandtx.com.